Winter equipment corresponds to your tires
Comparison – What equipment is the most effective, most economical, the easiest to install? Before leaving on vacation in ski resorts, Le Figaro referee.
From November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, in a large number of mountain municipalities in France, it is necessary to equip your car with winter tires or hold chains or snow socks (also called textile chains). For motorists who are not equipped with snow tires, vacationers who are directed to winter sports stations, in particular, you need to choose one of the other two solutions. But the choice is not necessarily obvious. Le Figaro So I decided to organize the match “Channels against socks”. 0-0, the ball in the center, he plays.
Winter equipment
Simplicity of installation: socks open an account
When you are not used to it, the channels can be real chores for the driver who discovers their user guide. Imagine, cold, wind, and snow crystals bite you in the face.
For chains, you must first pass the cables behind the tire, connect the cable in the upper part of the wheel, assemble the upper links of the cable and, finally, put the chains in the tension.
Where socks are as a cover on the tire, after a few minutes and without complex manipulations. A pure advantage of socks on this issue.
Channels return to 1-1 due to their effectiveness
According to the road safety management on your web, channels “A very effective, stable device representing the best clutches and processing in the case of strong snow cover or ice road”The field does not mean that socks do not do the work, but in this case “They are less effective (…) in case of severe snow.”Judge road safety management.
In addition, chains can demonstrate versatility and adapt to more difficult winter conditions, when dirt, gravel or ice enter the game.
Channels double the bet due to stability: 2-1
There is no coincidence on this characteristic. Neigs socks have on average only an autonomy of 20 km. Channels can turn over hundreds of kilometers and use year after year. Moreover, the toe, if it is not supported (it must be washed after use to remove salt), will be very quickly for garbage.
The goal refused for socks from -in price
By general recognition, the toe is cheaper, there are models from 20 euros, with an average price located about 50 euros. Where you will not find a chain within 30 euros. Models with high content, even up to 300 euros.
Except that the limited service life requires purchase more regularly. If you are sure that you are never using it, the low cost is necessarily an argument, but the chains are the best investments, especially when you force them to use them often. AIM refused, the goal for the goalkeeper.
Enjoying socks due to their good compatibility: 2-2
There it becomes difficult for channels, because some vehicles are not a chain (for various reasons). This can be from the size of the pneumatic trip of the car, the space between the wheel and the wing of the vehicle or the availability of technological sensors on wheels.
Therefore, do not forget to check the compatibility of your car with channels, especially on many models on Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. In this case, only the toe remains in the case of snow, which gives it a good comparative advantage compared to chains.
The end of the match is tight: the maximum speed and effectiveness enter the game
The maximum speed that can reach a car or sock is decisive. If theoretically, you can rise to 90 km/h with a toe, many manufacturers recommend that they do not exceed 30-40 km/h with chains.
But in any case, the regulation does not allow exceeding 50 km/h if the visibility is less than 50 meters, which can often take place when you have to install chains or socks. Another goal refused for socks!
The final victory for the channels!
Two minutes later, from the end of this match, this is the best efficiency of channels that matters. They grant better on very snowy or ice surfaces and provide better traction, especially in lifts. 3-2, final score, victory for channels. But you can reproduce the match, and your individual criteria can enter the game.
